Eye to Eye with a Dragonfly

There is something fascinating about dragonflies, particularly when you have the opportunity to see one up close and appreciate the extraordinary details of these remarkable insects.

Perched delicately on the end of a broken stem, this dragonfly seemed almost to be looking straight into the camera, its enormous compound eyes and finely veined wings creating a wonderfully intricate portrait.

Photographed near Okehampton in August 2014, I was particularly drawn to the delicate structure of its wings, which stretched out on either side like pieces of fine lace. The sunlight picked out the intricate network of veins, while the warm amber tones of its head and body contrasted beautifully with the rich green background.

Using a long telephoto lens allowed me to isolate the dragonfly from its surroundings, leaving the distant vegetation softly blurred and keeping attention firmly on the insect itself.

Dragonflies are extraordinary creatures, with an evolutionary history stretching back hundreds of millions of years. Their remarkable eyesight, powerful flight and ability to hover or change direction almost instantly make them fascinating subjects to observe and photograph.

For me, this photograph captures a quieter side of an insect usually associated with movement and speed. Just a brief moment of stillness, revealing the delicate beauty and extraordinary complexity of one of nature's most accomplished aerial hunters.